CAMBRIDGE, ON – April 3, 2009 – The Hon. Gary Goodyear, Member of Parliament for Cambridge-North Dumfries today called upon the Government of Ontario to support the expansion of the Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the Drayton Arts Complex.

 “Cambridge residents should not have to choose between saving lives and saving jobs.  Both of these projects are vital for the economic development and well-being of our community,” said Minister Goodyear.  That’s why the federal government has made a strong commitment to both.  The Ontario Government needs to do the same.”
 
The Government of Canada has pledged up to $6 million to help build the Drayton Theatre, as has the City of Cambridge.  The federal government is increasing health care transfers to the provinces by 6 per cent each year.  This year alone $24 billion will go to provincial and territorial governments. Added Minister Goodyear, “We respect the jurisdiction of the provinces over hospitals, but the Ontario Government has to understand that Cambridge hospital is a priority, as is the Drayton Theatre, because one saves live and the other creates jobs.”

Ontario Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman was quoted in a newspaper article earlier today as saying “Just like you do in your life and I do in mine, you’ve got to have priorities, and sometimes one has to give way to the other”.